A birding walk near Denholme Velvets

Abigail's holidays are nearing an end with her off  school today for 'teachers training day' - back to school tomorrow.

A very dull, cool-ish start this afternoon but the sun came out around 5 ish and the evening was cracking.

I manged to get my boots on after 2 pm but as luck would have it, Abi's dad was delayed at work so I was free most of the afternoon and early evening.

I had a drive over to park near Denholme Velvets just on the Calderdale border and after scanning the north side of Soil Hill from Thornton Road I had a good long outing along the nearby bridleways.

It was nearing 7pm when I got home - an enjoyable outing.

I always enjoy walking here, its mainly flat and usually very quiet with some lovely moor land scenery and always the chance of something juicy turning up.

Today I was hoping for Whinchat (I've seen them here before) but I was out of luck today.

30 or so species seen - so not bad for a moorland wander.

Some Birds:-

Many Pied Wagtail, which was great to see.

2 Swift, Good numbers of Lapwing with Curlew calling and flying past, Skylark and Meadow Pipit as well - real moorland sounds.

A Kestrel flew SE over Soil Hill carrying prey.

Linnet.

Snipe Drumming flying overhead for a good 15 minutes also one heard Chipping.

Reed Buntings were calling but hard to see deep in the brown reeds.

I did eyeball 3 of these elusive birds.

Good numbers of Red Legged Partridge kept popping up along the walk.

Sparrowhawk.

2 Oystercatcher, one mobbing a Kestrel or Sparrowhawk, have probably young hereabouts.

Mistle Thrush.

The pick of the outing were 2 Stonechat on the water board permissive path fence that runs south to 'sandy gallops' bridleway.

A Kestrel was seen from Bradshaw Lane earlier.